PETALING JAYA: The widely respected lawyer Datuk Sulaiman Abdullah has passed away at the age of 77 on Monday (Dec 18).
Huzir Sulaiman, who is a playwright and director, sent out a brief message announcing that the funeral rites for his father will be held at the Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Aziz in Petaling Jaya on Tuesday (Dec 19) at 1:10pm, following zohor prayers.
Huzir mentioned that he and his wife Claire along with Sulaiman’s personal assistant and caregiver, Siti Nur Abdullah, were present during his father’s passing.
Despite his father’s significant health challenges, Huzir affirmed that his sharp mind and dry wit remained intact, allowing him to continue representing clients and serving on various committees and advisory panels.
He also announced that an online memorial service open to all will be organized in the coming weeks.
Huzir also welcomed the legal community to organize a memorial should they wish to do so.
Sulaiman served as the Malaysian Bar Council President from 1993 to 1995 and subsequently from 2000 to 2001. He was later the co-chair of the Pro Bono & Access to Justice Committee of International Bar Association from 2007 to 2009.
He has also represented state and federal Islamic bodies in recent years.
Sulaiman’s notable cases include representing Lina Joy in a religious council case and the Terengganu Malay Customs and Islamic Religious Council in the Catholic Church’s application.
Additionally, he served as the lead counsel for former Perak mentri besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin during the 2009 Perak constitutional crisis and was the defense counsel in the abuse of power and sexual misconduct cases of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Sulaiman graduated with a law degree from the University of Singapore in 1969 and later obtained a master’s in law from the University of London. He also holds a diploma in Syariah Law and Practice from the International Islamic University Malaysia.
